Video: Leeds chefs are on the ball in World Cup cook-off

The Italian chef represented his home country as he took on the executive chef of Morrisons – Neil Nugent – in a food battle in preparation for the upcoming England vs Italy match this weekend.

The cook-off at San Carlo’s Flying Pizza in Roundhay saw the chefs rustle up their own World Cup-themed creations, with diners choosing the winner.

The result was a draw, with a final score of 1-1.

Speaking to the Yorkshire Evening Post, Mr Zilli, who is the celebrity executive chef for the San Carlo Group, which owns the Flying Pizza, said: “It was technically a draw... but clearly I won and let him share the glory!

“We loved it. It was very interesting because we have never really cooked together before in the kitchen.

“He was getting stressed but I was keeping my cool. I’m a cool dude.”

Mr Zilli cooked up a wild sea bass tricolore fettuccine for the competition.

Speaking about his dish, he added: “The inspiration of the Italian flag came to me so I made some pasta and coloured it three different colours – green, white and red.”

Representing England, Mr Nugent cooked a traditional roast beef fillet with treacle cobnuts and English country garden vegetables.

Speaking about his predictions for the England vs. Italy match on Saturday, Mr Zilli added: “I’ve put £200 on a 1-1 draw because that’s what happened at Flying Pizza. So we’ll see!”